Academic Programme

International Baccalaureate

Our New Zealand UWC will use the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme that offers a challenging two-year curriculum and qualification widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.

Atlantic College, the first of the UWC’s, was a primary driver for the establishment and subsequent development of the IB. This programme now administered by the International Baccalaureate Organisation based in Geneva, is used by over 2,500 schools in 126 countries and the diploma is formally recognised by 2178 universities in 73 countries, with many granting advanced standing to students with the IB diploma.

The two-year diploma course meets the educational requirements of students from many cultures while also providing a demanding academic programme that encourages them to:

• Ask challenging questions,
• Learn how to learn,
• Develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture, and
• Develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures.

The diploma requires students to study across six subject groups plus complete a core component that includes an extended essay, study of the theory of knowledge and engagement in programmes of creativity, action and service.

The primary language of instruction will be English, although students may write their International Baccalaureate examinations in English, French or Spanish. Students who do coursework in a language other than their native tongue are awarded a bilingual diploma.

Curriculum

Students each study six subjects. Normally three subjects will be studied at higher level (courses representing 240 teaching hours), and the remaining three subjects at standard level (courses representing 150 teaching hours). The six required subject areas are:

Primary language

This is designed for native speakers of a language or for students with an equivalent ability in writing, reading, speaking and comprehending the language and its literature.

Secondary language

This course emphasizes the development of the student's linguistic competence in a second language.

Individuals and Society

Selection from subjects such as Economics, History, Geography, Social Anthropology, World Religions

Experimental Sciences

Selection from subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Systems, Physics

Mathematics

Selection from subjects such as Calculus, Statistics, Algebra

The Arts and Electives

Selection from subjects such as Music, Theatre Arts, Visual Arts, or selection of an additional subject from the groups above

Core component

All three parts of the core are compulsory.

Extended essay

The extended essay has a prescribed limit of 4,000 words. It offers the opportunity to investigate a topic of individual interest, and acquaints students with the independent research and writing skills expected at university.

Theory of knowledge (TOK)

The interdisciplinary TOK course is designed to provide coherence by exploring the nature of knowledge across disciplines, encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives.

Creativity, action, service (CAS)

Participation in the school’s CAS programme encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports and community service work, thus fostering students’ awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena.

 

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